The DevRel job market has been through a rough patch since the post-pandemic slowdown in tech investment. Fewer companies are hiring, more candidates are chasing each role, and expectations for new hires have shifted.
That means getting into DevRel isn’t just about having the right skills. It’s about being prepared, knowing exactly what kind of role you’re aiming for, and showing that you can contribute, even before you land the job. Companies aren’t necessarily expecting perfection on day one, but they do want to see clear evidence that you can match their team's needs and can bring value.
So, what specifically are you facing if you're looking to get that first DevRel job? Some of the biggest challenges include:
- Vague job titles: The same title can mean wildly different things across companies.
- Different skill expectations across roles: Some DevRel jobs focus on writing and education, while others require coding, developer tooling expertise, or community engagement.
- Few entry-level positions: Many companies prefer experienced hires, making it difficult for newcomers to break in.
- Standing out in a crowded field: With some many people trying to enter DevRel, it can be hard to get noticed.
Understanding DevRel job roles
Developer relations isn’t a single job—it’s a broad field with multiple roles, each requiring a different mix of technical and communication skills. Understanding where you fit will help you target the right opportunities.
The Problem with job titles
DevRel job titles are inconsistent. A Developer Advocate at one company might be focused on technical content, while another company expects heavy involvement in product feedback and engineering. Similarly, Community Managers might oversee everything from forum moderation to event planning—or be part of a marketing team with no developer engagement at all.
This means you need to look beyond the job title and focus on what the company actually needs. Read job descriptions carefully, and if something is unclear, ask questions during the interview process.
Common developer relations roles
While titles vary, most DevRel positions fall into these broad categories:
- Developer AdvocateL A public-facing role that bridges the gap between a company and its developer community. Typically involves a mix of content creation, public speaking, and direct engagement with developers.
- Developer Evangelist: Sometimes interchangeable with Developer Advocate but often more focused on awareness-building rather than deep technical engagement.
- Developer Marketer: Works on messaging, segmentation, and campaigns targeting developers, often with a strong emphasis on storytelling and content.
- Technical Writer / Developer Educator: Creates documentation, tutorials, and technical content to help developers understand and use a product.
- Community Manager: Focuses on fostering and supporting developer communities around a product or open-source project.
- Developer Experience Engineer (DX Engineer): Works on improving onboarding, SDKs, API documentation, and tooling to enhance the developer experience.
- DevRel Lead / Director: Sets the strategic direction for a DevRel team, manages budgets, and represents DevRel internally within the company.
Larger companies tend to have specialized DevRel roles, with dedicated teams for advocacy, education, and community. In contrast, smaller companies often expect DevRel practitioners to cover a broader range of responsibilities, blending content creation, developer support, and product feedback into a single role.
Standing out in a competitive DevRel job market
Many companies prefer hiring DevRel professionals with experience, so how do you land a job without prior DevRel experience? The key is demonstrating value before you have the title.
Build a portfolio of public work
Unlike traditional software engineering roles, DevRel hiring managers often prioritize what you’ve done in public over what’s on your resume. A strong portfolio can compensate for a lack of direct experience. Consider:
- Writing technical content: Blog posts, tutorials, or guides about a technology you’re passionate about.
- Speaking at meetups or conferences: Even small-scale talks or online presentations count.
- Contributing to open-source projects: Not just code but contributing to docs or community discussions also shows engagement.
- Engaging in developer communities: Answering questions on Stack Overflow, participating in Discord or Slack groups, or helping on GitHub discussions.
A hiring manager wants to see proof that you can explain technical concepts clearly and help developers succeed, not just that you have an interest in DevRel.
Choose a niche
Trying to “do DevRel” for any and every technology makes it harder to stand out. Instead, focus on a specific area where you can build credibility. For example:
- If you love DevOps, start writing about CI/CD tools.
- If you’re into frontend development, contribute to open-source frameworks.
- If you’re into databases, explore indexing strategies, queries, or performance tuning.
By becoming known in a particular space, you’ll naturally build trust and visibility among companies hiring for those roles.
Where to find Your first DevRel job
Once you’ve built up a portfolio, it’s time to start applying. But where should you look?
LinkedIn and personal networking
Much DevRel hiring happens through referrals and personal connections, rather than traditional job boards. Some of the best ways to find opportunities include:
- Searching for job postings on LinkedIn: Many DevRel roles are posted on LinkedIn before they appear elsewhere. Set up job alerts, follow relevant companies, and apply early.
- Engaging with hiring managers and DevRel teams: Comment on job posts, connect with people in the industry, and join discussions to increase your visibility.
- Sharing your own insights: Posting about developer experience, technical writing, or community building can help position you as someone who understands DevRel, making recruiters more likely to reach out.
- Joining industry Slack and Discord communities: Many DevRel communities, such as the DevRel Collective, have private job postings that never make it to job boards.
- Attending DevRel events: Conferences like DevRelCon, as well as local meetups, are great places to meet hiring managers.
- Talking to people already in DevRel: If there's a company you're interested in, connect with its DevRel team and ask about their experience.
DevRel hiring managers often prioritize people who are already engaging with developer communities, even before they officially step into a DevRel role.
Final thoughts
Breaking into DevRel isn’t easy, but it’s possible. The key is to demonstrate your skills before you get the job. By building a portfolio, contributing to the developer ecosystem, and networking with industry professionals, you can stand out from the crowd and get closer to landing your first role.
If you’re serious about a DevRel career, start today: write, speak, contribute, and engage. The more visible and helpful you are in the developer community, the more likely you are to get noticed by hiring managers.